In the final round of fixtures for the regular Premiership season, there’s still much to play for. Most eyes will be focussed on the tussle for the remaining two play-off spots though, with just a point separating the Tigers, Chiefs and Saracens.
Saints have top spot already secured, but Leicester Tigers still have a lot of work to do if they want to join them in the play-offs.
A bonus point win is the only way Tigers can guarantee their place, with Exeter Chiefs and Saracens very much hot on their tails with vastly superior score differences. It’s certainly a challenge for the Tigers, who might be hoping the Saints will take their foot of the gas with little to play for.
Best Bet: Northampton Saints +9 Handicap – 7/4 at William Hill
Exeter Chiefs need to match or better Saracens’ result on Saturday if they are to hold on to their play-off position. Unfortunately, with the Saracens facing a woeful London Welsh side that has picked up just one point this season, it looks like the Chiefs will have to earn a bonus point win over seventh-place Sale Sharks. They may also have to register a huge win too if Saracens let loose on the Welsh, with Chiefs holding a score difference just three better than Saracens, with the pair level on points. However, if the Saracens do better Exeter’s result, the Chiefs will have to then hope they close the one-point deficit on Tigers, who face league leaders, Saints.
Best Bet: Exeter Chiefs -14 Handicap – Evens at SkyBet
Newcastle are set to ring the changes on Saturday, with neither side having much to play for.
The Falcons are stuck in a disappointing 11th place, while Quins are eighth and would need to make up a huge score difference to climb any higher in the table.
Best Bet: Harlequins to win – 17/10 at bet365
Only pride is at stake in this West Country derby between Bath and Gloucester.
Bath have second-place secured and will have an eye on next week’s play-off, while Gloucester will likely end the season in ninth unless they can close a two-point deficit on the Harlequins above them.
Will Bath secure local bragging rights against the European Challenge Cup winners?
Best Bet: Gloucester +13 Handicap – 4/1 at Ladbrokes
A point will be enough to guarantee a top six finish for the Wasps and secure a position in the Champions Cup next season. They might not even need that though, with their nearest competitors, Sale Sharks, requiring a big victory away in Exeter.
Best Bet: London Irish +9 Handicap – 10/11 at William Hill
Saracens are on the hunt for blood against long-since relegated London Welsh, who have picked up just one point all season. The Saracens know that they need to get a better result than Tigers, or outscore the Chiefs and claim into the play-off places. Can Saracens complete a demolition job at the Kassam Stadium to round-off Welsh’s miserable season?
Best Bet: London Welsh +47 Handicap – Evens at bet365
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